Bring a dish. Bring a bottle. Bring a friend and turn them on to the ship. Please email volunteer@gazela.org and let us know if you can help by bringing a big pot of something to eat or help with set-up or clean-up.

The Annual Dinner in February was a great success, with a healthy turn out and a good bit of money made for the Guild with the auction items. We got a recap of last year’s work and successes and got a glimpse of the year (and work…lots of work) ahead. In addition to that, we awarded our volunteer of the year awards:

Gazela Volunteer of the Year went to Debbie Greenspan for organizing the cooks and making sure that there is always lunch for the crew, even if that means dropping something off the night before or cooking multiple weekends in a row; she certainly has made a huge difference in crew morale by ensuring that the volunteers are always fed on weekends.

Jupiter Volunteer of the Year went to Hank Mahlmann for taking a keen interest in Jupiter and coming down multiple times per week to work on projects from cleaning and organizing the fo’c’s’le to assisting with the #2 generator work. Hank brings a vast amount of knowledge and experience to Jupiter and the other vessels, and we are thrilled that he happened to find us by chance one day (and has decided to stick around!)

The William W. Smith Award was presented to Rhoads Industries for their extreme cooperation and understanding during this past summer’s dry docking. From allowing us to have our volunteers working alongside their and our employees, to their willingness to help us out in any way possible, they certainly helped make a lasting contribution to the Guild.

Please join us on September 10 at 5 p.m. at Dry Dock No. 2, operated by Rhoads Industries at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, to celebrate the completion of a project to repair and inspect Philadelphia’s official Tall Ship, Gazela Primeiro. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to see a 114-year-old wooden ship in a 105-year old dry dock! There will be wine, beer, and light fare.

Tickets can be purchased through Brown Paper Tickets for $35 for Ship Guild members, $50 for non-members, plus service fee. Proceeds benefit the continuing preservation efforts for Gazela.

The primary purpose of the recent dry docking project was to inspect selected framing of Gazela‘s hull below the waterline, which will help determine the extent of future rebuild work. The ship is scheduled to be relaunched later in September. The project is funded entirely by individual donations and a generous matching grant from the W. W. Smith Charitable Trust.

Check out our Facebook page at Barkentine Gazela for photos and video of the project.

Come get the best view of the 4th of July fireworks at Penn’s Landing this Saturday from the decks of the Tall Ship Gazela! Enjoy the use of our clean onboard heads (That’s boat-talk for bathrooms). Bring your own picnic dinner or snacks to enjoy.

Gazela will provide some limited seating, although you are welcome to bring your own chairs as well. Please note, Gazela will be tied up to the dock during this event.

Because of the inclement weather predicted for Saturday, the Delaware River Waterfront has postponed the Penn’s Landing fireworks to Sunday, June 28th. If you purchased tickets to view the fireworks from Gazela’s decks, your tickets will be honored on Sunday.

Get a front-row seat to the fireworks while supporting Philadelphia’s Official Tall Ship

On Saturday, 27 June, there will be a fireworks display at Penn’s Landing as part of the events of the Tall Ships Festival. As the fireworks will be launched from the middle of the River, Gazela will be an ideal viewing platform, especially considering the number of people that will be at Penn’s Landing to watch the display.

Those viewing the fireworks from Gazela will be able to bring their own food, sit down away from the crowds, and will have access to Gazela‘s heads (marine toilets) during the event.Get into the spirit of the Tall Ships Festival by watching the fireworks display from the deck of a 114 year old Portuguese fishing vessel!

Join us at the unique two-sided waterfront of the Delaware River as more than a dozen international and domestic Tall Ships sail in for Tall Ships Philadelphia Camden 2015.

From June 25-28, 2015, the waterfronts of Philadelphia and Camden will create the perfect venue for a myriad of festival attractions and of course, Tall Ships. Affording visitors the rare chance to catch a glimpse, step aboard, and even set sail on some of the grandest ships of yore.

Tall Ships Philadelphia Camden will showcase domestic and international ships, including some of the most acclaimed worldwide, including the US Coast Guard vessel Barque Eagle, French vessel L’Hermione, Canadian Barque Picton Castle, and Gazela – Philadelphia’s official Tall Ship.